REVIEW - Life as We Knew It

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What would I do if in an instant the world changed?  I hope I never have to find out!




This book was an intense story of survival. Miranda and the rest of the world watch as an meteor slams into the moon changing it's orbit. It was big news, everyone was out in the streets watching the star show, then the moon became the prominent feature in the sky.  The scientists miscalculated the density of the meteor.  Cities were wiped out from tsunamis and flooding. Volcano's that have remained dormant began to erupt. 
Then the world became covered in ash.  Illness and death run rampant. People starve from lack of food. Wells dry up, gas is no longer available, people freeze.

Susan Beth Pfeffer wrote an outstanding book.  Miranda, her mother, and two brothers are faced with the ultimate trial of survival.  Somehow they must hang on until things get better, if they get better.  I kept turning the pages wondering what would happen next.  I wondered if things could get worse?  Yes, they definitely could get worse.

Honestly, my son went out to play and I was concerned because of the ash in the air.  My reality started to become mixed up with the fiction that I was reading.  There are two more books in the series, and I will definitely be reading them.  Highly recommend this YA book, no concerns on content.


This is a story of survival. The ending is abrupt, but it shows that life endures. It demonstrates the importance of family and helping one another.

I purchased this book for my enjoyment.  I read the kindle edition.

Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.
    
Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world. description from GoodReads

Stiletto Storytime Made My Day!

I got an email from Stiletto Storytime letting me know I won a box of books!  For a bookaholic, it doesn't get much better than than.  When I get them, I will be sure to post what it is.  I guess that's part of the excitement, I have no idea what will be in the box!

2011 Reading Challenge - 100 Books in a Year

I saw this challenge today and decided to enter.  It fits nicely with the challenges that I am aready doing.   I already made it my goal at goodreads to read 150 books.

Here are the rules.

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

• Rules - Read 100 or more books in 2011

• All books can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• Only print books and ebooks count (no audiobooks).

• You can join anytime.

If you are interested in this challenge, click on the picture above or the image in the left sidebar.

Happy Reading everyone!

I am keeping track of the number of books that I read in the left sidebar. 

Over 40 Friday Hop

I am over 40 and I blog.  Yes, it's true, how did I get to be over 40?  I still feel like I'm in my 20's, but I have a 15 year old son, so I guess I'm glad I'm over 40.

Here are the rules to the hop:

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button
2. Add your link to the list
3. Visit as many other blogs as you can
4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

NOTE:  PLEASE leave your blog address when you leave a comment!!  I have had several people wanting to follow back but the blogger can't always be found through the google info page!!

Bookalicious is having a Blogoversary

Bookalicious is having some wonderful giveaways to celebrate a blogoversary. The grand prize is a nook color. The contest runs until February 10th. Click on this link to go to the contest. http://bklc.us/2y.

I know that I would like to win this won, good luck!

REVIEW - "Murder by Another Name"

Murder by Another Name by Jo Stone

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This captivating murder mystery depicts the exposure of a breast implant manufacturer whose products have caused the development of cancer in patients. As she is leaving her lover/client/friend Dr. Dan MacNamara , Sherri Barker, a detail person for PolySurgical Specialties, a manufacturer of polyurethane coated breast implants, is killed by a car bomb. Dr. MacNamara happens to be the plastic surgeon who inserted PSS breast implants into Pamela Lawson, who is awaiting a liver transplant for liver cancer. Her attorney, Janet Stephenson, has filed a product's liability suit against PSS and Dr. MacNamara is a key witness for PSS. Ms Barker, however, had just delivered to him secret internal studies which showed that all animals tested by PSS developed liver cancer. PSS and its cohort, Conway Chemical, have set out to kill Dr. MacNamara, and Janet Stephenson's two expert witnesses, biomaterials scientists from Canada. Meanwhile, a television network reporter and an FDA investigator are preparing a special on the PSS implants, which airs just before the Lawson v. PSS trial. The investigation and intrigue related to the murder continue right up to the Lawson v. PSS trial, and coordinate with the criminal investigation and grand jury indictment of the principals at PSS and Conway and their murderous lackeys.  description from Goodreads

This is a fascinating book. It takes you through the process of getting ready for trial, jury selection and the trial itself.  It is obvious that Jo Stone knows her subject matter.    She is an attorney in Colorado who has been involved in the preparation for silicone gel breast implants.  She has created an entertaining as well as informative piece of fiction.



The book begins as Sherrie Baker is leaving the office of DR. MacNamara. Her car is rigged to set off a bomb when she gets inside, Dr. MacNamara is caught in the explosion and seriously injured. He is set to testify in a trial of PSS, the maker of breast implants.  Sherrie happens to be one of their employees.

This begins the intrigue.  The plots within plots, the evil masterminds trying to cover up their crimes.  The FBI, the local police department, the attorneys all working separately to come to conclusion.  There are   parallel story lines, sometimes it became a little hard to keep up with  the different characters and their functions, but Jo Stone is able to keep the story flowing and remind the reader what the function of the different members of the story is.  Part of my problem, was that I had to set the book aside for a bit.  It is a big book and in the middle of reading it, I had carpal tunnel release surgery and couldn't handle holding it.  After a couple of weeks, I was able to pick it back up and jump right back into the story.

The driving force in the book is Janet Stephenson. She is the attorney representing Pam Larsen, a victim of the deadly implants. Her compassion and drive to help Pam is inspirational. She is a low key attorney with a few assistants, battling the giant law firm representing PSS. I found humor that Jo Stone referred to them as the "cast of thousands."

The ending is bitter sweet. There is satisfaction with the outcome, but the book also ends in tragedy.

I give this book a very solid recommendation.  Like I said at the beginning, it is fascinating.  I love to be entertained and taught at the same time.

I received a copy of this book to review from the author, through  Bostic Communications.

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REVIEW - " The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob: Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose"

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob (Vol. 1) - Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose by Brooks Olbrys

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Despite his idyllic island life, young Bob yearns for a greater sense of purpose. Accompanied by his friend Xena, an overly cautious hummingbird, he sets out to ask the happy sea creatures to share their wisdom with him. His quest leads him first to Al, a playful and spirited dolphin, and then to the local sage, an old turtle named Doc, who finally helps Bob realize that by following his bliss, he will find true fulfillment. Thus begins Brooks Olbrys heart-warming and colorful new picture book series, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob, inspired by the success philosophies of Bob Proctor, Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale and others. Readers will thrill to Bob s maritime adventures while learning valuable life lessons from this endearing new hero as he discovers his true purpose - to protect the sea, and all life within it.  description from Goodreads


Blue Ocean Bob lives on a tropical island. He is trying to find a purpose to his life. He talks to his sea friends and goes on a journey to seek council from an old turtle. The turtle tell him "Discover your passion, then simply jump in. Decide what you love, what excites and inspires - then make that your purpose and watch what transpires."

That is great advice for anyone, not just children. I like that it teaches children to find what they like and then go for it.  This book is well written and has a rhyme that is easy and fun for children.  The only thing that I had a little problem with, is that it ended abruptly.  My son said, "that's not the end," when we finished the book, because it didn't feel like a concise ending.  The only explanation for that could be that it is the first in a series of books.

Overall, "Blue Ocean Bob" receives a solid recommendation from me.  I received a copy to review from the author through  Bostic Communications.  I will donate my copy of the book to my sons second grade class, so that it can be enjoyed by many children.






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REVIEW - Mubu & MU-MU

Mubu & Mu-Mu: The Little Animal Doctor by Peter Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I LOVED this picture book. It is about a young girl in Thailand.  She is six years old and she lives in a small village.   Her grandfather brings her a gibbon who has been caught in a trap and has a hurt hand. He entrusts the small animal into his granddaughter's keeping to help heal the adorable gibbon.  He gives her three rules.  #1 Not to name the animal.  #2 Not to cuddle the animal. #3 Do not let the animal sleep in her bed .  A six year old is bound to break all of those rules.

Mubu is a nickname for Sangduen "Lek" Chailert.  (My husband speaks Thai and told me "Lek" means little.)  This story is based on real life events, that makes it even more amazing.  Mubu learns the life lessons of releasing a wild animal back to it's home. 


It is a positive learning tool for children.  The fun thing is that they do not realize they are learning while they are reading.  It is just a great story and very interesting.  I highly recommend this book to anyone with children or who is teaching small children.

This book passed my ultimate test for a picture book. I read it to my seven year old son, he did not fall asleep and asked me questions while we were reading. He even looked a little more closely at the pictures. The pictures are really good.  The illustrator did a wonderful job.


I believe that this will be a series of books about Mubu healing animals.   I look forward to reading the rest.
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I received a copy of this book to review.